"Zero-dong market" supports disadvantaged workers in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City Trade Union accompanies and shares with workers far from home

In recent months, many communes and wards in Ho Chi Minh City have organized gift-giving activities and supported people and workers in difficult circumstances in the area, notably the "Zero-dong market" model implemented by many communes and wards.

Tan Hiep Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly part of Tan Uyen City, Binh Duong) is one of the localities with a large concentration of workers, especially workers in the field of export wood furniture production. Recently, unstable jobs and unstable incomes have made the lives of many workers difficult. In the above context, in September 2025, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Tan Hiep ward coordinated with the ward Trade Union and units to organize a "Zero-dong market" to support hundreds of disadvantaged people.

Ms. Luu Thi Tuyet Trinh - Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Tan Hiep Ward - said that the unit has received the cooperation and valuable contributions of neighborhoods, businesses, and benefactors.

The market provides many consumer goods such as: Rice, instant noodles, fish sauce, cooking oil, sweet potatoes, vermicelli, vegetables and fruits... About 200 people and workers in difficult circumstances will benefit from this program. Each person who goes to the market can buy 22 items for 0 VND with a total value of about 500,000 VND.

Workers' families shared that the market has provided practical items to help people in need to use them for 2 weeks.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai (42 years old, a worker in Tan Hiep ward) shared: "Zero-dong market" helps us buy a lot of goods, including 10kg of delicious rice, 1 box of instant noodles and many other items. These necessities help the family of 3 to live in for half a month".

According to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Tan Hiep Ward, the unit will continue to strongly mobilize donors to maintain the organization of a "Zero-dong market" to support people and workers in difficulty in the area.

Many activities to support people in need in wards with 7 industrial parks

Meanwhile, Binh Duong ward is also an area with 7 industrial parks, with a large concentration of workers.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam - Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Binh Duong ward - said that the unit is organizing a series of activities "Rice Youth Festival - Ethnic Reunited". Through the festival, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Binh Duong ward and the ward's unions registered to implement 7 "Binh Duong Muon Hoa" projects worth more than 50 million VND; disbursed the "love capital circulation" support fund for female workers with the amount of 100 million VND.

The Ward Veterans Association awarded 13 scholarships worth 6.5 million VND to poor students overcoming difficulties. In addition, the Red Cross Society of the ward organized a "Zero-dong booth" for the second time to give away 100 gifts including rice, necessities, clean vegetables... worth more than 50 million VND.

Mr. Pham Tuan Tu - Chairman of Binh Duong Ward Trade Union - informed that the unit has coordinated to visit boarding houses in the area. At the boarding houses, representatives of the Binh Duong Ward Trade Union shared and listened to the thoughts and aspirations of union members and workers.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Ward Union presented 50 gifts to the children of workers.

At the same time, the Ward Labor Union coordinated with landlords to organize the "Grand Unity Meal" in 2025 at 4 locations: Mr. Nguyen Van Ut's boarding house (Chanh Long quarter), Ms. Do Thi Tuyet's boarding house (Phu Chanh quarter), Mr. Pham Thuy Thuy Thuy's boarding house (Phu Bung quarter) and Mr. Huynh Van Hoa's boarding house (Hoa Phu 2 quarter).

The activities have left many good feelings, affirming the concern and support of the Trade Union organization for union members and workers far from home. At the same time, it fosters solidarity and cohesion between workers, trade unions and landlords" - Mr. Pham Tuan Tu said.

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